Share this:

Home » Stories » Stage & Screen » UPDATE – Above The Stag announces shock closure!

UPDATE – Above The Stag announces shock closure!

UPDATE FROM ABOVE THE STAG

STATEMENT

Statement to all Above The Stag stakeholders.
(Issued at 12noon on Tuesday 9 August 2022)

Since announcing the heart-breaking closure of our Vauxhall venue two days ago, Above The Stag has been overwhelmed by thousands of kind and positive messages of support.
Thank you!

The past 5 years, in our beautiful Vauxhall home, have been extremely happy and successful but financially very challenging. As a Charity and the UK’s only exclusively LGBT+ Theatre, we are delighted to have staged award winning productions, sponsored new talent of every kind, provided a rare cross-generational queer space for our LGBT+ community and given you all great nights out.
It has certainly been a privilege for us.

We are very proud of all the wonderful staff, creatives, technicians, actors, artists and especially our loyal audiences who have graced us with their presence. A big thank you to everyone who has walked through our doors and been part of the creation of some very special magic.

Regretfully, it has not been possible to come up with a feasible business plan for the next 5 years in our existing venue.
Our landlord, The Arch Company, has been very understanding and supportive.
Another contributing factor in the decision to close is that Network Rail, as a priority, have to carry out a full back to brick safety inspection and repairs to the arches within the next 6 months. The arches have to be closed, emptied, stripped back, and then all reinstated after the repairs are completed.

The show is not over yet… Above The Stag is still very much alive and kicking.
All furniture, fixtures, fittings and equipment are being transferred into storage in readiness for a reopening elsewhere at a later date.
Our Benefactors have committed to donating £2m over the next 5 years subject to us finding a fit for purpose new venue and coming up with a feasible 5 year business plan. The search for our new home begins now!

Our mailing list members will be kept informed of all our future plans. If you want to join our mailing list or you have any suggestions regarding a suitable new home for us then please email us at mail@abovethestag.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you and to keeping in touch with you.

Andy Hill
Operations Director & Producer

Above the Stag Theatre in Vauxhall is a much loved queer space in London. With its theatre, cabaret lounge and theatre bar, Above the Stag is also one of the U.K.’s most significant queer creative spaces.  It is therefore with great sadness and absolute shock that we hear of its sudden closure as of this morning, 7 August.

At 9.30am this morning, 7 August 2022, Above the Stag issued the following statement about its closure:

Above the Stag ceased trading and permanently closed it’s Vauxhall venue at 9:30am on Sunday 7 August 2022. 

An explanatory statement will be issued at 12 noon on Tuesday 9 August 2022.

Ticket holders with future bookings will be refunded in full.

Trade creditors, staff, creatives, actors and technicians with any outstanding amounts due will be paid in full.

Thank you to all stakeholders for their loyal support.

Please address all enquires to: enquiries@abovethestag.org.uk

We wish the team all the best for the future. This is really sad news for all of our community. 
 
However, we hope that this is not the end of Above The Stag story. Let’s hope we can fight to save this significant queer theatre.  
 

https://www.qxmagazine.com/area/best-lgbtqi-gay-theatre-in-london/

Advertisements
gay chat line in London

What’s on this week

View on map
View all events
She Already Knows
Sweatbox Sauna is a gay sauna in Soho in Central London.
The Arzner queer cinema, cafe and bar in South London.
gay drag show tonight at gay bar The Admiral Duncan in Soho.
Ku Bar app savings on drinks.
The Divine Cabaret Show Bar and queer party venue in London.
The city of Quebec is London's oldest gay pub.
George and Dragon is a gay cabaret bar in Greenwich,
Cruise Control at Teds Place
cruise event at Vault 139
Fruit Bowl Friday Special
Drag karaoke Chaos at Karaoke Hole
Cabaret event at gay bar Halfway To Heaven in Central London
The Rising LGBTQ+ focused bar in SE1, London
SHE bar in Soho is London's only queer women's bar.
Friday night event at Arch which is an LGBTQ bar in Clapham, London.
Bears Beers and Beats at King's Arms gay pub in Soho.
Friday Night DJ at Rupert Street gay bar in Soho London.
View Calendar